TO RESTORE THE LUSTRE OF VARNISH.
The Varnish looking dull, striking in, or cracking, as often arises from the badness of its own quality, as from any improper treatment in the Cleaning, or effect of the Weather: the high Varnish in particular, on account of the extra quantity, which, if not good, produces a change much sooner that the common Varnish, the latter being much thinner.
When Varnish Cracks, it can only be remedied by the Painter, who should be immediately applied to; but if Varnish strikes in, and looks dull, as is sometimes the case in very damp weather, use the following means:—Get a quarter of a pound of Rotten Stone or Tripoly Powder from a Colour Shop, which must be ground with water, and used of the consistency of paste, in the following manner:—Double a piece of woollen cloth, and with the flat part rub each pannel with a gentle force for about a quarter of an hour, taking care to rub it equally all over; wash off the substance, and with a hand free from corns, and damped with a soft leather, rub it smartly downwards, till by the friction it makes a shrieking noise: if this does not sufficiently polish, the rubbing with the Rotten Stone and the hand should be repeated. Much depends upon the hand rubbing clean off the pannels and mouldings as before directed with soft baize, oil, and flour. If well managed, the Body will look nearly as well as if new Painted, particularly a common Varnished Body, especially if it has never gone through the process before.
Thus, with one or two days’ trouble, and at the expense of about one Shilling, New Painting may sometimes be saved.
Let the Carpet at the Bottom of the Carriage be often cleaned and reversed, so that the wear may not always be in one place; for Winter use and for dirty Weather, one of the Dressed Sheep’s Skins is the best foot warmer for the floor of a Carriage.
DOORS.
These, in New Carriages, will shrink in Dry, and swell in Damp Weather, however well seasoned the Wood may be—their tightness may often be cured by rubbing the edges with a little Soap:—be cautious not to touch either Door or Door Post with the Knife while damp weather continues; for sometimes they will shrink in Dry as much as they swell in Damp weather; and when Summer returns, you will find you have irremediably injured your Doors.
HINGES.
If these move stiffly, a few drops of Sweet Oil will generally make them easy enough.
GLASSES AND SHUTTERS.